Top spinner



Patented Sept. 13, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,642,280 PATENTl OFFICE.

MORRIS WEINBER'G, or NEW YORK, N. Y., AssIGNoR 'iro SLMA WINBERG,'0F NEW YORK, N. Y.

. Tor SPTNNER.

Application iled July 16,

This invention relates to improvements in spinning toys, but specilicallyuhas to do with a device commonly called a top spinner.

One of the features of the invention resides in novel and improved means for connecting the spinner with a topand at the proper interval of time effect the releasing of the latter and thus permit the free spinning of said top for an appreciable period.

Another aim ofthe invention is the provision of means in the form of a reciprocatory element adapted tofacilitate the winding of a flexible member upon a stem portion and thereafter guide the unwinding of said member in a manner to insure maximum and quick rotation of said stem and its communicative effect on said top.

An equally7 important objectof the invention is to provide a top-receiving stem with auxiliary means for effecting the winding of a flexible element thereon.

lVith these objectsl in view, together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention' resides in the novel formation, -combination and arrangement of parts, all as will be described more fully hereinafter, illustrated in the drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved top-spinner.

Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view thereof, the component parts appearing in a position just prior to the unwinding and subsequent spinning of the top.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the invention; and

Fig. 4 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Referring now more in particular to the accompanying drawings, let 5 denote generally my novel and improved top spinner, which comprises a stem 5a, Lcircular preferably in cross-sect-ion, and having its lower end tapered as indicated at 6, for insertion within a similarly tapered axial bore 7 of a top 8. For a clear understanding of my spinner, the parts covered by the numerals 5a and 6, I term the same as a rotatable stem the major portion thereof being round with the exception of the head 9 which preferably is made rectangular as shown in Fig. 3.

.Another component part of my device 192e. serial No. 122,873.

`steinencircled by saidelement, the purpose of which will presently appear. Said element 10 is also provided with a side aperture 12, disposed preferably at rightrangles to said bore 11 and ext-ending from the inside face ofthe latter tothe outer surface of said element. i

As shown in Fig. 2 I interpose a bearing member 13 between said head 9 and the element 1.0 for the obvious Apurpose of affording a bearing between these parts and as shown in said Fig. 2 the upper portion of said element 10 is more or less flattened to cooperate with the part 13. A

It is now quite apparent that I propose to v rotate the stem 5'd and to communicate such movement to the top 8 releasably carried by said stem. Therefore, let us consider the part in the position shown in Fig. 2, wherein it will be observed I have provided a flexible member 14 having one end secured to said stem within an annular groove 5b, (see Fig. 4), the other end being fastened to the member 15, while' the intermediate portion thereof is wound about said stem 5a, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

In operating the device the element 10 is held with one hand and' the lingers of the other hand grasping the member 15 exerts a. quick lateral pull on said member causing the flexible member 14 to unwind from the stem 5a and thus a sharp rotative movement is imparted to the latter and communicated to thetop 8, and since the stem but loosely engages the top it is readily removed and maybe deposited' on a floor or other locality to spin as is quite obvious. In order to facilitate the removal of the top from the spinner the stem of the latter is tapered, as hereinbefore pointed out.

Probably the most important feature of my invention resides in the. provision of a reciprocatory element 10, and as distinguished from the spinners now on the market no stops `or abutments are provided. The advantages derived by a reciprocating element are First. during the winding of the flexible member 14 upon the stem 5 it is possible to feed the cord lengthwise of the stem and thus wind an appreciable length thereof on the stem and obviously the greater the length of oord 14 Wound on said stem the more pronounced the rotative motion imparted thereto. Second',7 my construction does not have the limitation of the present structures where the amount of cord to be wound is governed by the bore or aperture cut in a liXed block or similar device.

During the winding of the flexible member on the stem the rectangular head portion 9 may be held in the hand and the element 10 rotated upon the stem. The flexible member or cord la is now guided through the aperture 12 onto the stem and since said element 10 is loosely mounted on said stem it may be reciprocated thereon to elleet the packing of the cord lengthwise of said stem, however, I have observed in actual practice that at the termination of the unwinding the motion imparted to the stem after the top drops therefrom, is suticient to re-wind the string 14 but. I lay no claim tothis feature.

IVhile the above disclosure presents a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, as various changes in the minor details ont construction, proportion and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as delined in the appended claim.

I claim:

A device of the character described comprising a rotatable stem having its lower portion tapered Yfor releasably engaging a top, a globe-like element arranged on said stem, having an axial bore throughout the length of said element somewhat larger than the diameter of that portion et the stem embraced thereby and having;` an aperture disposed substantially at right angles to said bore and a flexible element having one end secured to said stem and adapted to wind on said stem substantially the entire depth of the bore in said globe-like element.

In testimony whereof I alix my signature.

MORRIS WEINBERG. 

